Removable table covering

ABSTRACT

A removable cover for a table comprising an upper portion overlying the top of the table, a perimetrical skirt portion disposed on the sides of the table, and annularly extending restraining means for removably securing the cover to the top of the table.

United States Patent [1 1 Sherlock 4] REMOVABLE TABLE COVERING c log fi10b [451 Jan. 15, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 475,771 5/1929Germany 150/52 R Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney-Learman &McCulloch 5 7 ABSTRACT A removable cover for a table comprising an upperportion overlying the top of the table, a perimetrical skirt portiondisposed on the sides of the table, and annularly extending restrainingmeans for removably securing the cover to the top of the table.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I/ [Do 9 PMENIEU W 3.785.419

v INVENTOR MARY ELLEN SHERLOCK ATTORNEYS i REMOVABLE TABLE covEnINGFIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to table covers and moreparticularly to a table cover which can be removably secured to a table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tablecloths have been used for years tocover'dining tables, however, they are easily removed by small childrenpulling on the portion of the tablecloth which customarily drapes overthe edge of the table. Dinnerware, dishes, and other similar items,which normally rest on a dinner table, are swept with the movingtablecloth onto the floor. The dishes break as they hit the floor andchildren are frequently injured by the falling dinnerware. If hot foodis stored in the falling dishes, children may be seriously scalded asthe food spills therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providerestraining means for a table cover which will prevent its inadvertentremoval from a table.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a table coverwhich will eliminate the safety hazards resulting from a tableclothbeing inadvertently removed from a table.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a table topcover which will removably grip the table and yet appear to be aconventional table cover.

Other objects and advantages of the present inven tion will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the descriptionthereof proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A removable cover for use in covering the topof a table comprising an upper portion adapted to overlie the top of thetable, a perimetrical skirt portion connected to the upper portion andadapted to be disposed on the side of the table, annularly extendingrestraining means for removably securing the cover to the top of thetable fixed to the underside of the cover and being disposed at asubstantially constant distance from the perimetrical edge of the skirtportion of the cover.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2,illustrating the manner in which a table cover constructed according tothe present invention is removably secured to a table top;

FIG. 2 is an under plan view, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

F IG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side sectional view illustrating themanner in which the cover is removably secured to a table top; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating a modifiedtable cover constructed according to the present invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Apparatus constructed according to the presentinvention is particularly adapted for use on a table, generallydesignated T, including a table top supported by a plurality of verticalfloor engageable legs 14. A

table covering, generally designated C and constructed according to thepresent invention, includes a layer of material 14, such as terry cloth,or the like, having a top portion 16 overlying the top surface 104 ofthe table top 10 and an overhanging, perimetrical side portion 18 whichextends about the perimeter of the table top.

For removably securing the layer of material 14 to the table top 10, anannular restraining means, generally designated 20, is provided andcomprises a continuous strip of material 20a stitched, or otherwisesuitably secured, to the underside of the material 14, as indicated at21, at a substantially constant distance from the perimetrical edge 22of the'skirt 18 which extends about the table. The strip of material 20aalso includes an underside gathered portion 19 engaging the underside ofthe table top 10 and having a loop section 24 which receives a resilientendless cord or ring 25 for gathering the strip of material 20a inwardlyunder the table top 10. When the cord 25 is expanded, the gathers orpleats in the gathered underside portion 19 unfold to permit theunderside sheet section 19 to pass over the side 10b of the table 10.The resilient cord 25 urges the side portion 23 of the strip of material200 tightly into engagement with the side wall 10b of the table top 10but has sufficient resilience to permit its expansion over the side wall10b of the table top 10 so that the gathered underside section 19 can beeasily installed and removed. The table cover C externally appears to beidentical to a conventional tablecloth, however, the restraining means20 prevents the table cover C from being inadvertently removed from thetable 10 when the skirt portion 18 is pulled sidewisely, by a smallchild, for instance. It should be understood that the resilient cord 25could comprise a draw string.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 4, a table cover, generallydesignated C, is provided for covering the table top 10 and includes asheet of material, generally designated 14' having a top portion 16',which overlies the top surface 10a of the table 10, a side portion 23'engaging the side 10b of the table top 10, and a underside gatheredportion 19' engaging the underside 100 of the table 10. Means isprovided for restraining the sheet of material 14 on the table top 10and includes the underside gathered portion 19' which terminates in aloop 24' that receives a resilient cord 25 for urging the side portion23 into engagement with the sides 10b of the table top 10.

A skirt portion18' which extends perimetrically about the sides 10b ofthe table 10 is stitched, or otherwise suitably connected, at 21'. tothe cover 14 adjacent the upper surface 10a of the table top 10. Theseam or junction 21 of the skirt portion 18 and the top portion 16 iscovered by means of an annularly extending bead 26 comprising a sheet ofmaterial which pro- .vides a decorative effect in addition to coveringthe seam 21 so that the cover externally appears to be a conventionaltable cover.

The cover is easily installed by merely stretching the resilient ring25' to the perimeter of the table 10 and slipping it, and the gatheredunderside section 19', over the sides 10b and then under the table top10 to engage the underside 100. When a child pulls on the overhang ingportion 18' of the table cover, the restraining means 20' will preventthe cover C from being removed. The cover C can, of course, be easilyremoved by stretching the resilient ring 25' and slipping the gatheredportion 19' and resilient ring 25 over the edge 10b of the table 10.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are inall cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles ofthe invention rather than as limiting the same in any way since it iscontemplated that various changes may be made in various elements toachieve like results without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A removable cover for a table comprising:

a sheet of material including an intermediate portion, adapted tooverlie the top of the table, and a border portion adapted to underliesaid table top;

yieldable restraining means for removably securing said sheet ofmaterial to said table connected to said border portion for yieldablyurging said border portion to a position underlying said table top butpermitting it to expand so that said sheet of material can be removedfrom said table;

a perimetrical skirt portion connected to said sheet of material so asto drape along the side of said table; and

means covering at least a portion of the junction of said skirt portionand said sheet of material. 2. A removable cover for a table comprising:a sheet of material including i an intermediate cover portion adapted tooverlie the top of said table; and a perimetrical side portion dependingfrom said intermediate portion and adapted to extend about the perimeterof the table; annular means for removably securing the sheet of materialto the table including expansible and contractible means connected tosaid side portion and being contractible inwardly to urge said sideportion toward the table; a perimetrically extending skirt portionconnected to said sheet of material; and means covering the junction ofsaid skirt portion and said intermediate portion.

1. A removable cover for a table comprising: a sheet of materialincluding an intermediate portion, adapted to overlie the top of thetable, and a border portion adapted to underlie said table top;yieldable restraining means for removably securing said sheet ofmaterIal to said table connected to said border portion for yieldablyurging said border portion to a position underlying said table top butpermitting it to expand so that said sheet of material can be removedfrom said table; a perimetrical skirt portion connected to said sheet ofmaterial so as to drape along the side of said table; and means coveringat least a portion of the junction of said skirt portion and said sheetof material.
 2. A removable cover for a table comprising: a sheet ofmaterial including an intermediate cover portion adapted to overlie thetop of said table; and a perimetrical side portion depending from saidintermediate portion and adapted to extend about the perimeter of thetable; annular means for removably securing the sheet of material to thetable including expansible and contractible means connected to said sideportion and being contractible inwardly to urge said side portion towardthe table; a perimetrically extending skirt portion connected to saidsheet of material; and means covering the junction of said skirt portionand said intermediate portion.